Providing Opportunities for All

The secondary education system in Grand Cayman is being dramatically changed for September 2010◦ Students will take exams in Year 11 instead of 12◦ There will be two new high schools in Grand

Cayman—each for students in Years 7 – 11◦ A new Year 12 programme will provide new

technical, vocational and academic options◦ The aim is to improve student success

What does this mean for Cayman Brac?

Will it really make a difference in the problems we see in education?

What does student success mean, anyway?

The focus has to be on success for all

A major focus of our secondary restructuring is providing more opportunities for success for all students, not just the most academic

The traditional definition is 5 “high-grade” or O-level equivalent passes at grades A* - C or I – III

By this measure, the historical average at CBHS over the past few years is just under 50%; at John Gray High School, the historical average is about 24% (last year, 37%)

However, there are opportunities to get these qualifications in ways other than traditional exams

Underpins the secondary restructuring

Provides a clear and rationalized system for evaluating qualifications

Based on international standards

Provides a way of recognizing and explaining the qualifications students have earned

Type/Level of Program Orientation and Purpose Occupational Competence

Academic Competence

EntryEntry level certificatesASDAN Bronze

Basic knowledge and skills:Ability to apply learning in everyday situationsNot geared towards specific occupations

Unskilled, entry level KS2

Level 1CXC 4-6, GCSE D-G, BTEC Introductory

Completion of a preparatory programme leading to further study in a given academic or vocational area of entry qualification for a particular occupation

Semi-skilled, entry levelSupervised worker

KS3

Level 2CXC 1-3, BTEC FirstGCSE A*-C, GED

To prepare a skilled independent worker who is capable of study at the next level (post-secondary)

Semi-skilled, entry levelSupervised worker

KS4

Level 3A level, IB certificate/diploma, Advanced Placement

A post-secondary qualification emphasizing the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes (behavioural competencies) to function at the technician/supervisory level and pursue studies at a higher level.

Technician, Supervisory

3 passes at A level or equivalent generally enables entry to Bachelor’s Degree with or without advanced standing

Level 5Bachelor’s degree

Denoting the acquisition of an academic, vocational, professional qualification. Appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, those who can create, design and maintain systems based on professional experience

Competence which involves the application of knowledge in a broad range of complex, technical or professional work activities performed in a wide range of contexts. This includes Master Craftsmen, Technologists, Advanced Instructors, Managers, and Entrepreneurs.

Level 6Post graduateAdvanced professional

Denoting the acquisition of advanced professional post-graduate competence in specialized field of study or occupation.

Competence which involves the application of a range of fundamental principles at the level of chartered, advanced professional and senior management occupations.

Successful high school completion is defined as 5 Level 2 passes

The traditional measure is through CXC/GCSE examinations

There are a range of newer qualifications that meet that standard but allow us to provide a more customized learning experience, particularly in technical and vocational areas

Serious concern about student performance and school discipline

Student numbers are over 1000 per school Some benefits from George Hicks

reorganization but not enough improvement in teaching and learning

Historical average success rate in GCM is less than 25% (5 or more passes)

JGHS

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

CHHS

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

GHCYears 7 - 9

JGHSYears 10 - 12

willchange

to

Further Education Programme

Year 12

Development of two ‘all-through’ (Years 7 – 11) high schools, Clifton Hunter HS to serve Eastern districts and John Gray HS to serve Western districts

Organization of schools into academies, so that students have a small and stable home base

Shift to exams at the end of Year 11, followed by mandatory Year 12 pathways for further education

Introduction of a comprehensive set of pathways for all students in Year 12, including completely new VoCaT (Vocational, Career and Technical) training programmes

Enhanced support for Careers advisory and guidance throughout all schools

To help ensure better outcomes for students

To build better relationships within schools

To provide high quality, externally accredited vocational, career and technical education

To create a Year 12 programme that provides a bridge from school to the future for students, whether they are moving straight into work or are headed for highly demanding academic environments

Advanced Placement Diploma Programme

Foundation Programme

Further Education Programme

Dual-entry programmes◦ A-Levels◦ UCCI Certificate Programmes (limited enrollment

possible based on space and demand)◦ Associate Degree Programmes

Students study for AP/IB qualifications◦ AP is transitional to full IB Diploma status◦ AP also allows portable, independent modules

Applicants must have at least 5 high-grade passes, including English and Maths, at A*-B/I-II grades

This is a straightforwardly academic stream, aimed at the highest achieving students in the school

• Allows second chances for students to resit exams (based on grades in Year 11; e.g. resit exams where students have earned D/IV grades)

• Students may also take new subjects, based on individual counseling

• Applicants will usually have shown success in some Level 2 subjects

• Programme will offer a focused programme of accessible subjects:– English– Mathematics– Science– Social Studies

• In addition, there will also be access to basic literacy and numeracy programmes

• Foundation courses may be combined with vocational programmes

• Level 2 VoCaT (Vocational, Career and Technical) education programmes– Aimed at students who have at least 3 or 4 Level 1

passes (at least 3 or 4 passes at grades D/IV or below)– BTEC First Diploma schemes (equal 2 – 4 GCSE

passes)– Work experience component (at least 1 day per week)– Possible combinations with Foundation (resit)

programme

Level 1 VoCaT (Vocational, Career and Technical) Basic Technical Skills Programmes◦ Planned for students who have had limited

academic success◦ Focus on ensuring basic literacy, numeracy, ICT

skills◦ BTEC Introductory Schemes ◦ Strong work experience component

Level 2

◦ Business◦ Creative Media Production◦ Health and Social Care◦ IT◦ Motor Vehicle (IMI)

Level 1

◦ Business, Retail and Administration◦ Hospitality, Travel and Tourism◦ Sport and Leisure◦ Motor Vehicle (IMI)

Graduation◦ Students will graduate at the end of Year 12 from their home high school,

either JGHS or CHHS.

Programme location◦ Year 7 – 11 students in the John Gray High School catchment area will

start in September 2010 at the current JGHS campus.◦ Year 7 – 11 students in the Clifton Hunter High School catchment area will

start in September 2010 at the current George Hicks campus, and will move into the new Clifton Hunter Campus as soon as it is complete.

◦ The Year 12 programme will be located on the George Hicks campus, separate from any Year 7 – 11 groups.

Uniform◦ Each high school will have its own uniform to be worn by all students, with

each academy group identified by distinctive insignia.◦ Year 12 students will have their own uniform code.

◦General Principles◦ Any changes to the secondary school system have

to provide better opportunities for students◦ There has to be adequate time for the transition◦ We need consultation with the school, parents and

students

◦We need to agree on ◦a model (should we move to a 5 + 1 plan?)◦a proposed programme of study◦a transition plan

We commit to extensive consultation on these issues.

◦Better support for planning for careers and/or further study through the Careers Advisory Service

◦Opportunities for the school to incorporate some of the best study programmes into the existing option scheme for students going into Year 11

◦Better and more appropriate qualifications for all students

◦An opportunity to reflect on how we move the school forward to benefit the community